Cinema Entertainments (Private) Limited and Lanka Film Distributors Company (Private) Limited vs National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka – CA WRT/0309/19-2023

In the case between Cinema Entertainments (Private) Limited and Lanka Film Distributors Company (Private) Limited (Petitioners) versus the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka and others (Respondents), the court addressed the legal validity of notifications and decisions nullifying or prohibiting agreements concerning importation, distribution, and exhibition of films under the National Film Corporation Act and relevant Cabinet policies. It was held that the relief sought by the Petitioners, including writs of certiorari, prohibition, and mandamus, was futile in light of a superseding Cabinet decision and the presence of alternative contractual remedies. The principle reaffirmed is that prerogative writs will not be issued to address disputes that are primarily contractual or rendered ac